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lously blossom. Fire bursts into a brilliant flame on an altar in the background of the scene.
Mystic song and music resound and add to the gaiety of the scene.
Suddenly, to the amazement of all present, the child r'ses from the lotus flower and advances seven steps with majestic gait, while behind each step a lotus flower springs up. Then in a powerful voice he announces : « I am born for the salvation of the world ».
7th PICTURE.
A terrace of the Royal Palace. Suddhodana is seated on his throne, surrounded by the Court. The child is lying in his cradle under an awning, watched over by nurses. The figure of a man gently cleaves the air and on alighting on the earth assumes the aspect of a venerable hermit. This is Asita, the famous seer, who begs the Kings to grant him a view of the child born to him. Suddhodana takes the child in his arms and shows him to the saint. The latter gazes at him long, becomes meditative, sighs and sheds tears. The King is taken aback. Asita reassures him, and tells him that this child is destined to be the future revealer of the truth, the spiritual minister of suffering mankind. « He will abandon the splendours of the Court » says Asita « and will take refuge in v/ild forests to seek there the eternal Truth and preach it to the world. I weep because I shall die before the blessed lesson is taught ». Then Asita is rapt from the earth and disappears as he came.
8th PICTURE.
Maya is told of Asita's predictions. The too happy mother dies and is borne up to heaven in a cloud of light. Suddhodana entrusts the child to Mahaprajapati, his maternal aunt.
9th PICTURE.
In the background a temple with majestic idols. The ceremony of baptism! the name of Siddhattha is given to the infant. The idols fall prostrate before him as he comes up to them.
ioth PICTURE.
The child Buddha astounds his teachers by the knowledge he displays which renders all teaching superfluous.
nth PICTURE.
The Council of the King and his Ministers. It is decided to invite to Kapilavastu all the most beautiful royal princesses, that Siddhattha may choose his bride from among them. Suddhodana wishes to surround the Prince with pleasures of all kinds and deter him from the renunciation announced by Asita. Heralds are sent forth.
1 2th PICTURE.
The choice of the bride. The Prince has presented the last of the jewels he has to distribute to the princesses who have been summoned, when the lovely